DHS Head Reportedly Approved Purchase of Ten Engine-Free Spirit Airline Aircraft That Carrier Didn't Own
The head of the United States Department of Homeland Security allegedly approved the purchase of Spirit Airlines aircraft before learning that the airline did not truly possess the aircraft – and that the planes lacked power plants.
This bizarre anecdote was detailed in a investigation published on Friday, which recounted how the official and a former political strategist had recently attempted to buy 10 Boeing 737 aircraft from Spirit Airlines. Sources with knowledge informed the outlet that the two planned to use the jets to expand deportation flights – and for private use.
Those sources also claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had warned them that buying planes would be significantly costlier than simply increasing current charter agreements.
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Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy protection for the second instance in August, did not possess the aircraft and their power plants would have had to be acquired independently. The plan has since been halted, according to the report.
In the interim, Democrats on the House appropriations committee said in the autumn that during this season's historically lengthy government shutdown, the DHS had already acquired two Gulfstream aircraft for $200m.
“It has come to our attention that, in the middle of a federal shutdown, the US Coast Guard entered into a single-source contract with Gulfstream Aerospace to acquire two new G700 luxury jets to facilitate travel for you and the deputy, at a expense to the taxpayer of $200m,” Democratic lawmakers wrote in a communication to the DHS.
A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were inaccurate but refused to offer additional clarification.
The legislature had previously approved the termed “big, beautiful bill” in the summer, which dedicates roughly $170bn for immigration and border-related operations, a sum that makes ICE the most heavily funded law enforcement agency in the US government.
In September, it was revealed that the administration was moving individuals held as part of its removal program in ways that violated their legal rights, often by plane.
Confidential information reviewed from charter airline GlobalX outlined the journeys of tens of thousands of immigrants who have been shuttled around the country before deportation.
